Manchester’s newest comedy festival is making a return to the city later this year, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After what was a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, with 10,000 comedy-lovers enjoying countless sell-out stand-up sets, Laughterama is back in Manchester for more in a couple of months time, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre.
Just like last year, festivalgoers are in for an “explosive series of shows” from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Multi award-winning comedians Adam Buxton, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, and Alan Davies are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-paced lineup.
They’ll be joined by the phrenetic Russell Kane, the legendary Dylan Moran, and Taskmaster stars Phil Wang and Fern Brady when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 September.
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Laughterama 2023 lineup / Credit: Laughterama
That’s not all either, as this year’s lineup is also stacked with flawless entertainers like cult comic/poet Tim Key, viral sensation Troy Hawke, ventriloquism queen Nina Conti, Father Ted hero Adrial O’Hanlon, and Mash Report host Rachel Parris, as well as a bunch of fast-rising breakthrough upcoming comedy names and homegrown talents.
Josh Jones, Dan Tiernan, Sharon Wanjohi, Ania Magliano, Celya Ab are just some of the newcomers you can catch over the five days.
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And aside from the comedy, just like last year, the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Ed Gamble and Sara Pascoe are two of the famous names on this year’s lineup / Credit: Supplied
Festival organisers are promising an “outrageously good time” for anyone heading down this year.
Laughterama is the latest venture by sibling duo Will Briggs and Cass Randolph of 57 Festivals, who have been bringing their unique blend of comedy programming in boutique-festival settings to sell-out crowds across the UK for the past 15 years.
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And after their hugely-successful first year in Manchester, the pair are looking forward to returning later this year.
“Last year’s festival was epic,” Will and Cass admitted.
James Acaster performing at the inaugural Laughterama back in 2022 / Credit: Supplied
“The shows and crowds were electric, and we couldn’t have asked for a stronger first year, [so] for this year’s return, we’ve been focused on making sure we maintain that feeling by presenting lineups that will amaze and delight.
“We’ve added more even shows and are looking forward to welcoming back everyone that came last year, plus their friends and families too.”
Laughterama 2023 is landing at Castlefield Bowl from Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 September, with tickets now on sale at £25 per person and already selling fast.
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You can grab yours on the Laughterama website before they sell out here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
The full 2026 MOBOs Fringe programme for the first-ever awards in Manchester has been revealed
Danny Jones
Now the BRITs have been and gone, it’s time to switch our focus to the next big awards show: the 2026 MOBOs, which is also coming to Manchester for the very first time, and they’re bringing the popular Fringe event along with it.
Get ready for more big showbiz hustle and bustle to hit the city centre before you know it; we, for one, are so ready.
Similar to the aforementioned BRIT Awards, the MOBOs also hold a regular ‘Fringe’ music, arts and cultural festival with each annual edition.
You can see the full range of this year’s largely free-to-attend MOBOs Fringe lineup and the extensive schedule in its entirety down below.
Manchester, it’s your time.
The full #MOBOFringe 2026 programme is here – nine days of music, culture, panels, parties and showcases across the city ahead of the #MOBOAwards on 26 March.
As you can see, there’s a lot on the cards this year, with different activities and activations happening all over central Manchester.
Featuring everything from exclusive live sets, sport and other entertainment, to various selectors and even a creative summit, it’s jam-packed with countless aspects beyond just that music that help make the industry as a whole tick.
Venues involved include The Whitworth Gallery, faithful Green Island Festival partners, the Niamos Centre, multi-purpose bars and events spaces like Side Street and Renae, as well as important music venues like The Deaf Institute and Aviva Studios – a.k.a. the home of Factory International.
Each hosting a variety of different dates over the course of its nearly week-long duration ahead of the MOBO Awards themselves, there’s something for everyone and anyone interested not just in Black music and entertainment but Black-British culture and more.
For instance, we already heard about the exclusive basketball match between Manchester and a fellow European competitor, and tickets are live as we speak. You can see the full Fringe programme in more detail online.
Running from Thursday 19 to Tuesday 24 March, the event week is shaping up to be a cracker.
As for the inaugural Manc MOBOs ceremony at Co-op Live, it gets underway just a couple of days later on the following Thursday (26 Mar).
serving as the perfect way to close the Fringe and this year’s edition as a whole.
Tickets for the MOBO Awards Manchester debut are live as we speak, with general admission prices starting from less than £30. You can grab yours HERE.
As for those expected to be in attendance, the likes of Olivia Dean and local rapper Aitch have already been confirmed for the live music lineup, and to see the full list of nominees, look no further…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MOBO Awards)
What's On
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition
Emily Sergeant
Cancer patients will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their artwork exhibited in Manchester this month.
The Christie Charity has partnered with the upcoming immersive exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind – which is opening down at Depot Mayfield this week, making its UK debut – meaning that patients currently being treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be.
The Christie has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
The new exhibition – which is set to celebrate the powerful, visual storytelling associated with Banksy – will feature more than 200 Banksy-inspired works under one roof, and the Christie patients’ pieces will now accompany them.
At present, The Christie is the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patients.
Funded by The Christie Charity, the hospital provides a relaxed and welcoming space for patients between treatments.
The Christie cancer patients’ artwork to be displayed at Manchester’s new Banksy-inspired exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Led by artist in residence Pat Mountford and supported by volunteers, the art sessions are informal, accessible, and open to all – with no previous artistic experience required to join, and patients being given the option to drop-in as and when they choose.
The art room offers patients a place to unwind during what is often of the most challenging period of their lives, as through painting, drawing, and collaborative projects with one another, they’re encouraged to explore their creativity and take time away from the clinical environment.
“Art has an extraordinary ability to help people process what they’re going through,” commented Pat Mountford.
“For many patients, the art room becomes a place of calm, creativity and connection at a time when life can feel overwhelming. Seeing their work showcased in a public exhibition is incredibly empowering.”
Visitors to the exhibition will also have the opportunity to bid on the Christie patient artwork.
A QR code displayed alongside the artwork will allow members of the public to place bids, with all proceeds supporting fundraising efforts for the Total Body PET-CT Scanner. Additional pieces created by patients will be displayed throughout The Christie’s hospital corridors and will also be available to bid on as part of the auction.
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind is set to open this Friday 13 March and will run through to 5 July 2026 at Depot Mayfield.
Tickets are now on sale, with standard adult tickets starting at £22, children under six going free, and a range of concession tickets also available for 7-16 year olds, seniors, and all NHS workers to benefit from.
Emily Sergeant -
9th June 2023 
